Submarine boat.



S. LAKE.

SUBMARINE BOAT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 16. 1915.

1,169,970. Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

"preference, Hon-e1rcnlar so as 7 novel construction n sra rns SIMGN LAKE, 6F MILFDR'D, (EGNR'ECTICUT.

SUBMARINE BO Application filed August 16, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, SinoN LAKE, a citizen of the United States. residing at Milford State of Connecticut have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Submarine Boats, of which the following is a specifi-- cation.

The, invention relates particularly to an improved submarine or submersible boat designed for commercial purposes and par ticularly for carrying cargoes of various description.

The invention consists in the peculiar and of a non-pressure-resisting outer hull; of the arrangement of a, pressure-resisting inner hull in Which is arranged an engine compartment, working compartment and living quarters; in the peculiar and novel arrangement of tanks Within the outer hull which are designed for carrying the cargo; and in the: novel manner of bracing said tanks in position and tothe outer hull the whole being so arranged as to provide a thoroughly rigid construction of relatively light Weight material.

The invention further novel-features of construction and peculiar combinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter befullydescribed and then claimed. i

In the drawings, tion, in the. several figures of which like parts are similarly designated, Figure a diagrammatic vertical longitudinal sectionof my improved cargocarrying submarine or submersible boat.- Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the-same drawn on a slightly larger scale on the line a-(b of Fig.1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the same drawn through the forward end of the boat on the line Z2b of Fig. 1, the cargo-carrying tanks being shown in plan. 4; is a detail vertical'sectional view on a larger scale drawn through the lower end of one of the tanks, illiistrating the manner of connecting the tanks to their supporting plates and to their horizontal partitions. v

1 designates the outer hull of the boat of desired cross-sectional form, but in y to provide Specification of Letters iatcnt.

in the county of New Haven and.

'nected airand consists in certain 7 illustrating the inven- Patented Feb 1 1916,

Serial No. $95.

best suited for surface navigation, the constructed of relatively light (Fig. a}, and,

gn plating 2 and ribs 3 inafter appear, is not designed sis-ting body. The space null is divided by transve. e 7 and 6, which are connected to the ribs 3 of the hull l in the usual manner. In practice, the partitions 4: and 5 will be of sutlicientlv heavy weight material to resist the pres 5e incident to submergcnce, and Within the space formed by the said parti tions t is arranged inner pressureresisting hull 7, preferably substantially eylind mi in cross ctiom and constructed of plating 7 and Nb?) 7" (Fig. 2), as is usual in single hull submarine boats. The respective ends of the inner hull 7 are conu'ater-ti-ght to the bulkheads and 5., and in practice. the inner hull is divided by transverse partitions 8 to provide an. engine and machinery compartment 10, an and. a living c are provided in controlled by, doors into the Working compartment.

the top of the outer hull l." the superstructure is provi valves (not shown) so that the by the superstructure in 7 be the boat is submerged, forms no part of the present invention, it is not thought necessary to illustrate or to describe the same in detail. Upon the-deck of the superstructure is built a coam preferably glass, substantially as sh my two-pending application, Serial 17,797,' filed March 29, 1915.- Access to the Working compartment 11 of the inner pressure-resisting hull 1s had through a. hatchway 15, having its upperend connected to the under side of the deck of the-super structure 13, and its lower end connected airand water-tight to thetop of the'inner pressure-resisting By preference,

space formed vvn in N0.

b outwardly opening doors or covers 18 paroperating compartment 11,

9 preferably opening designates'a. superstructure built upon ded with inlet flooded when but as this feature so as to prevent inlet of water to the hatchway and to the inner hull when the boat is operating submerged, or'when operating in rough weather when seas are liable to break over the coaming 14.

17 designates a sighting instrument preferably slidably mounted in the boat and having its lower end extended into the operating compartment of the inner hull. 7,

.whereby observations may be made when divided by a horizontal partition 18 (Fig.

2), and connected airand water-tight to the lower side of this partition is a substantially U-shape trough 19 having closed ends 20. The upper longitudinal edges of the sides of the trough 19 and its ends 20 are connected airand water-tight to the horizontal partition 18, whereby to provide a battery compartment 19' in which is arranged the battery cells 21 from which the necessary power is derived foroperating the boat submerged and when in submerging condition. Access to the battery compartment 19' is had through a hatchway con trolled by a cover 19, as shown in Fig. 1.

As shown, the batterv compartment does not extend throughout the length of the space formed between the transverse partitions 4t and 5, so that a well 22 is provided at each end of the battery compartment. Mounted in each well is a hydraulic cylinder 23, in each of which operates a piston 7 (not shown), the rod 24 of each having its lower end connected. to one end of an arm or lever 25, pivoted intermediate its ends to the sides-0f a recess formed in the keel l of the outer hull 1, and the free end of each is provided with journals in which are mounted 'a bearing roller or traction wheel .26, the Wheels being designed to contact with the water-bed when the boat is operating upon or immediately adjacent to the water-bed. As the construction and the operation of these traction wheels forms the subject matter of Letters Patent No. 726,705, granted to me April 28, 1903, it is not thought necessary to describe the same in detail, a-ndattention is therefore invited to the said patent. for further understanding of their purpose.

The spaces formed between the outer nonpressure-resisting hull; the transverse part'itions 4 and 5, and the inner pressure-resisting hull 7, also the spaces in the forward end of the boat formed by the transverse partitions 5 and 6, and also the space in the aft r end of the boat, aft of the transverse parjtition 4, are divided by horizontal partitions 18' having openings formed therein controlled by valves 182 (Fig. 2), the stems of the valves being extended into the inner pressure-resisting hull 7, whereby the valves may be operated from Within the several compartments of the said hull section 7, as will be hereinafter described.

The spaces upon the opposite sides of the inner pressure-resisting hull], between the partitions 18 and 18, are divided by horizontal partitions 18 having their inner and outer longitudinal edges connected, respectively, with the plating of the inner hull 7 and the plating of the outer hull 1, and their forward and after edges connected, respectively, with the transverse partitions 4: and 5, said horizontal partitions l8 having a plurality of openings (not shown) whereby the spaces above and below the latter'partitions are in open communication. The spaces in the forward end of the boat, formed by the partitions 5 and 6, are divided 'by horizontal partitions 181, the spaces thus formed being also in open communication through openings183, shown in Fi 3.

The partitions 18, 18, 181,- and 18" are formed with circular openings 27 (Fig. 1) Y through which extend vertically arranged cargo-carrying tanks 28. The lower ends of the tanks are mounted upon transverse horizontal plates 29, arranged preferably in step-like order so as to meet theconditions imposed by the longitudinal and transverse curvature of the outer hull 1. Suitable longitudinal girders 30 are provided to strengthen the horizontal plates 29 and the bottom of the U-shape trough 19, and, in

practice, it will be understood that the girders and the plates will be securely connected together and to the plating of the ribs of the outer hull 1 as in all ship constructions.

In practice, the tanks are provided at their lower ends with flanged rings or frames 26 (Fig. 1), which are securely riveted to their supporting plates 29, and are also connected-to their respective horizontal partitionsby means of circular rings or frames 31, shown most clearly in Fig. 4, said rings or frames being L-shape in cross section, and riveted to the tanks and to the said horizontal partitions. The tanks 28 are providedin their tops with openings controlled by suitable covers 32, and the deck 1 of the outer hull is formed with alining hatchways controlled by suitable covers 33, so that access to the tanks may be readily had from the deck of the boat when loading or removing the contents into and from the said tanks.

In practice, the upper partitions 18 will be connected airand water-tight at their longitudinal edges to the sides of the outer operating upon the surface.

' ably carried in compartment 19,

outer hull from collapsing.

hull 1, so as to provide water-tight comartments in the upper portion of the outer hull to thus add buoyancy to the boat when When the boat .issubmerged, the valves 182 (Fig. 2) will be opened so as to permit water to flow into the spaces above the' partitions 18, as well as into the superstructure, valves heretofore referred to, so as to prevent the collapse of the deck of the boat, it being understood, of course, that when the .boat is submerged, the sea-valves (not shown) controlling the admission of waterballast to the lower compartments of the boat will be opened so that the water may flow into and through the several compartments of the outer hull and into the spaces formed above the horizontal partitions 18. To empty the various water-ballast compartments, I purpose connecting them with pipes (not shown) extending from suitable compressed air-storage bottles 37, preterthe lower hold of the boat, thatis to say, in the spaces formed below the plates 29 at each side of the battery sothat when air is admitted to the spaces, the water will be blown therefrom, it'being understood, that as the water is ejected, the spaces will be replaced by air of such pressure as to equalize the external pressure, decks and partitions, and the sides of the It will be further understood,-that when empty of water, the spaces above the decks 18, as well as the space formed by the superstructure, will greatly add to the surface buoyancy of the boat, and'furthermore, that the said spaces may be utilized as living quarters for the crew when the boat is operating on the surface.

In the construction shown and described, the spaces formed. between the outer nonhull 1, and the inner prespressure-resisting sure-resisting hull 7, and the spaces formed I at the forward and after ends of the boat are designed to be filled with water from the of water when the boat is surrounding body of course, be

the several compartments of the inner pressure-resisting hull 7, will be provlded for controlling the admission o-f'water to the aforesaid spaces.

Suitable pumps (not shown) Wlll also-be provided for pumping the water from the said spaces to emerge I the boat:

-' The tanks 28 ciently heavy weight material to withstand the pressure of submergence'equal to that for which the inner pressure-resisting hull 7 is designed, and when empty, or when carrying such materials in which air spaces through the.

'eral cargo-carrying and thus prevent the are constructed of satin are left in the tanks, that is to say, materials other than liquid, or when the tanks are not completely filled with liquid, I purpose admitting air under pressure to the tanks so as to prevent any possibility of collapse, the air being led into the tanks through pipes 36 (Figs. 1 and 2), extending from a suitable source of supply (not shown), the supply source being furnished with air either by a suitable air pump (not shown), similar to those installed upon all submarine boats, or from the compressed air bottles 37 carried in the lower part (or hold) of the outer hull upon either side of the battery compartment 19, as hereinbefore described.

It will be understood that in the construction shown, the entire space between the outer and inner hull sections forms the bal by water, so that I am able to build a strong and durable outer hull, as well as the superstructure, of comparatively light weight material and, of suflicient strength to avoid danger of collapse when operating upon the surface in rough weather. It will be further understood that I may provide the sevtanks with sea-inlet valves, whereby water-ballast may be admitted into any of the tanks in order to trim the boat when full loads are not carried within the tanks.

By my construction, I provide a. boat with a larger amount of reserve buoyancy, and

consequent greater surface buoyancy than has heretofore been produced. It will be further understood that the tanks may be connected together and to the outer hull, andto their adjacent partitions by suitable braces, but as these latter features constitute details of construction well known by those skilledin naval architecture, it is not thought necessary to show or to describe them.

It will thus be seen that I provide an eX ceedingly novel construction of submarine or submersible boats particularly designed for carrying cargoes of various descriptions, and which will be found of inestimable advantage in supplying blockaded .countries with food-stufi': or war materials during hostilities, and which may be readily submerged, when upon the high seas, in the event of interception by an enemys fieet.

"When operating in danger zones, such for instance, asm the presence of hostile ships, and when entering a blo-ckaded port, the

crew of the submarlnewillenterthe inner pressure-resisting hull section and from the said section navigate the boat past the hostile shipsfit,- of course, being understood that the boat will, from time to time, be

their bearings as in the operation of all sub.

marine boats.

\Vbile I have briefly described the elements best adapted to theconstruction set forth, it is obvious that various minor changes in details of the boat, and in the construction shown, may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of, or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention. Also, that my improved freight carrying boat may be provided with fenders such as is shown and described in Letters Patent No. 1,135,537, granted to me April 13, 1915, assigned to the 'Lake Torpedo Boat Com pany of Maine, to thus enable the boat to be maneuvered through a mined field or under nets extended across a channel. without fear of detection, When entering a port.

\Vhat I claim is 1. A cargo-carrying submarine .or submersible boat, comprising-an outer hull and an inner hull, cargo carrying tanks arranged in 'the spaces formed by said outer and inner hulls, the spaces formed by said inner and outer hulls around said cargo-carrying tanks providing Water-ballast compartments.

2. A cargo-carrying submarine or submersible boat, comprising an outer non-pressure resisting hull section and an inner pressureresisting hull section, said inner hull section providing machinery, Working and living compartments, cargo-carrying tanks arranged in the spaces formed by and between said inner and outer hull sections, said spaces also providing Water-ballast compartments. 3. A cargo-carrying submarine or submer" sible boat, comprising anouter non-pressure resistingzhull section and an inner pressure resisting hull section, and a plurality of pros sure-resisting cargo-carrying tanks arranged in the space formed between said outer and inner hull sections, the spaces formed around said inner hull section around said tanks also providing water-ballast compartments.

4. A cargo-(airrying submarine or submer sible boat, comprising an outer hull section and an inner hull section, transverse and horizontal partitions arranged in the spaces formed by and between said hull sections providing a plurality of communicating compartments, and cargo-carrying tanks arranged in said spaces and extending through and .connectcd to said horizontal partitions, the spaces formed by said partitions providing communicating Water-ballast compartments. A cargo-carrying submarine or submersible boat, comprising an outer non-pressureresisting hull sectionand an inner pressureresisting hull section, said inner hull section having partitions providing a plurality of maestro rse pa rtitions arranged in out ion and forming the ends of said section, Said partitions having epenn .rs roviding communications between the forward and after ends of said outer hull section at the sides of said inner hul section, horizontal partitions Within said outer hull having openings arranged therein, and cargo-carrying tanks extending through the openings of said horizontal partitions and braced thereto as specified, the communicating spaces formed by, said transverse and horizontal partitions providing watenbaliast compart ments.

, 6. A cargo-carrying.submarine or submersible boat, comprising an outer non-pressureresisting hull sectioi a'nd an inner pressure resisting hull section, said inner-hull section having partitions providing a plurality of compartments as specified transverse partitions arranged in said outer, hull section forming the ends ofsaid inner hull section, horizontal" partitions -.arra nged within said outer hull section providing-a plurality of communicating compartments, said horizontal partitions having openings therein, cargo-carrying tanks held Within said openings, and flanged rings connecting said tanks With said horizontal partitions, the communicating spaces formed by the. said transverse and horizontal partitions providing comn'iunicating Water-ballast con'ipartinents.

-7. A. cargo-carrying submarine or submersible boat, coi'n fng an outer non-pressureresisting hull .CiJlOIl, and an inner pressureresisting huil sectioinsaid inner hull section having transverse partitions providing a plurality of compartments and for the purpose specified, 'transverse partitions ar" ranged in said outer hull section, horizontai partitions arranged Within the space formed by said outer and inner hull sections and in the forward and aiter ends of the outer hull section, said horizontal partitions having vertically alined openings, cargo-carrying tanks mounted Within said openings and braced to said ,artitions, said tanks havin' openings in their upper ends. covers for closing the openings, cover-controlled hatches formed in the deck of said outer hull and aliningwithsaid tank openings, and means for admitting air under pressure to said cargo-carryingtanks.

8. A cargo-carrying subn'iarine or submersible boat. comprising an outer non-pressureresisting hull section and an inner pressure resisting hull section, said inner hull section having transverse partitions providing a plurality of compartments, transverse partitions arranged in said outer hull section providing closures for the ends of said inner hull section, a transverse partition arranged in the forward end oi the outer hull section,

. horizontal partiiions arranged in said outer section and connected to said transverse partltlon and t0 smd. hull secmons as speclfied, and having ,vcrticuily aimed openmgs,

; czu'gcrcasrying tanks mounted in said 019911 and after ends of the outer hull providing connnunl -at1ng Water-ballast compartments.

In testimony whm'eof I have hereunto set my hand this 2nd day 0%? August, D. 1915.

8131.923 LATE.

s mmn Plum-1, M. E. llrrcucocx.

fiapies of this patent may be obtainsd for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latentsc Washington, D. 6. 

